1) Dorrie “hears” the voices of her deceased relatives giving her advice,
weighing in on her choices, and cheering her on. Do you think these
voices are real or “all in her head”? Can you relate to these voices,
especially the fact that her chorus is all female? What role does the
chorus of voices play in her life? Does it help or hinder her?

2) Dorrie’s college boyfriend Franklin Liu reappears in her life just as
she’s at an inflection point. Her mothers have died, she’s unemployed,
and she’s recently broken off a long-term relationship. She doesn’t
think it’s a good time for a new relationship. Do you think she would
have been better off alone? Have you ever gotten back together with
a former partner? Do you believe in “the love of your life”?

3) Despite her history, Dorrie’s never left the US before she returns
to her birthplace of Colombia. What gives her the courage to do
something so out of her comfort zone? What do you think she thinks
she’ll find there? Does she find it? Have you ever traveled outside of
the country? What did you learn about the place or yourself?

4) In many ways, the Victorian house Dorrie inherits from her mothers
is another character in the novel. How would you describe the
Victorian? Is it a heroine? A villain? How does the house help or
hinder Dorrie’s journey? Have you ever lived in a house that felt like it
had a personality?

5) All her life, Dorrie has wondered about her past and her lineage,
but she’s never gone in search of it until she’s encouraged to by
a deathbed promise. Why do you think she hasn’t sought out her
ancestry before? How does knowing where she and her family came
from impact her life? Her self-image? Have you ever done genealogy
or used DNA testing? How has learning about your ethnic/racial/
family background affected you? Is there ever an instance in which it
would be better not to know?

6) While the Victorian holds a lot of memories for Dorrie, it’s also a big
responsibility. She not only has the memories it holds, but she also
has the physical remains of her mothers’ lives from old clothes to the
cats. Is she lucky to own her childhood house or is it a burden? How
might her kitchen remodel affect her relationship with the house?
Have you ever embarked on home improvement projects? How do
they usually go?

7) Dorrie has a long history of relying on the advice of many people
in her life: her mothers, the voices of her chorus, her best friend
Becks, and even Franklin. Why do you think she’s so dependent on
other people’s opinions? Does it serve her? What spurs her to start
listening to her own inner voice? Do you seek advice or prefer to
forge your own path?